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By Mark R. Anderson The Holy Spirit is directing me to teach on how to prosper during hard times and doing it Gods way. We cannot deny the fact that the economy is a bit unstable and the rising prices of all commodities can take a toll on the wallet; but as believers in Christ we are not subject to the economy of this world. We can live above it. Gods word is a guide to prospering during hard times. One of the most talked about subjects in the Bible is FINANCES, and instructions on how to handle our finances. We desire to see you blessed financially and every other way during economically difficult times; so does God! Psalm 35:27 says, Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. This ministry as well as Sharmila and I personally live by these scriptures. Trusting in God and living by Gods word for our supply creates an atmosphere of prosperity.
though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Notice one other major ingredient that helps us prosper in the verse: GRACE. We cannot work up the blessings of God; it comes by Gods grace. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 talk about how grace is involved in prospering Gods way. 1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6 tell us who gets the grace. He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Who gets it? The humble! The major ingredients in prospering Gods way are humility and the grace of God. If we acknowledge our dependence on God and humble ourselves to do it His way then prosperity will automatically come our way. Many believers try to prosper through their own works, merits and ways and end up in a financial mess. This is not a good place to be. We cannot continue to operate according to the system of the world and expect lasting results. If our financial foundation is not laid properly, it could collapse someday with nothing to show for our labor.
Proverbs 22:16, He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. Many do not consider this verse, but once again God makes it abundantly clear that if we care for the poor and destitute, than His blessing will come upon our lives.
other words they were only focused on themselves and their own personal needs. Verse 9 says that this lifestyle brought a curse of poverty into their lives. One thing that I absolutely do not want in my life especially during economically trying times is to be under a curse of poverty. When we refuse to give back to God a small portion of all He has blessed us with then we are making a strong statement to God and others. We are saying God I do not trust you as my source financially. We are robbing God and others who could be reached with the love of Christ. Selfishness can be an inward expression of our heart, of not trusting God with our lives. Israel was to show Jehovah that they were returning to Him by giving back to Him. If Jesus has control or your finances then there is a good chance that He has all of you. Verse 10 says something that God says nowhere else in the entire Bible. He says Try Me in this or put Me to the test, prove Me or I dare you. We have found that whenever the Lord tells us to give personally or from the ministry, beyond our comfort zone, it is a win, win situation because we cannot out give God. When we release the little in our hand then He releases the unending amount in His hand. Why? So that we can be a continual source of blessing to others and be blessed ourselves (See Genesis 12:1-3). Look at verse 11. When we are involved in giving, giving Jesus control of our finances then He gets involved in our finances rebuking the devourer in our lives. It is so much easier when God does the rebuking. Nothing stands in His way. Sharmila and I as well as this ministry do not find it hard to give any amount the Lord tells us to give, because we know that His provision is more than enough and is on its way if we are obedient to Him with our finances. It is exciting and fun to make Jesus the Lord of our finances and doing what He wants us to do with those finances; even it means suffering lack for a short period of time. (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). We can never out give the one who longs to be our source at all times, especially during economically hard times. He desires that we trust Him in all areas of our lives and that includes with our finances. To give as God says of our hard earned money makes a statement and sets an atmosphere for Gods provision in our lives.
verse 19 says we are laying up a good foundation for the time to come. Our willingness to distribute and give secures our financial future especially when financial prosperity seems difficult.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. How do we lay treasures in heaven; by giving to a Bible believing church, the poor, missions or anything that furthers the kingdom of God. This is the best place to invest as the investment can never be lost or stolen by the enemy. Investments into the Kingdom of God will never fail. Jesus places an extremely high value on souls; He gave His life for each one, and they will never lose their value to Him! Sharmila and I have found that this investment has the best financial yield, even in this lifetime; compared to anything else we have ever invested in. We know our financial future is very secure because we are laying up treasures in heaven. (see also 1 Timothy 6:1719). Jesus wants our hearts. If our earthly treasures are sowed with eternity in mind, then our heart is in heaven where it belongs. If our treasures are only used for material things then our heart is not in heaven, but on earth, and all earthly things will eventually pass away. Jim Elliott the missionary martyr to the Auca Indians of Ecuador said this about laying treasure in heaven. He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that he cannot lose. Are you making a difference in this lifetime by laying up treasures in heaven? This is all that will count for all eternity. Giving of ourselves that others may know Christ is what counts for eternity. Giving financially is not the only way to lay your treasures in heaven. Making Jesus the Lord of every area of our lives and giving our all for the sake of the gospel is also how we can lay up treasures in heaven that do not fade away.